Uncommon in the world of portable audio there are devices that are able to surprise something. Most often, the development is extensive: just below the noise, the dynamic range is slightly better, a little more kilohertz ... No revelations. Therefore, the output of devices, like the hero of this review having some unusual possibilities, is always an event very pleasant and interesting. That is why from company so interested me, there is not often a portable DAC of this level, moreover, with the support of wireless connection.
Actually, the company Celsus Sound appeared on the market recently, but it's impossible to say that they are beginners. Celsus is one of three companies associated with Heap Venture, a venture fund founded by Jason Lim, who founded the famous company NuForce. Fairly deciding not to put all the eggs in one basket, Heap Venture decided to master just three segments of the market with different brands. For the budget segment meets Encore Audio with their mDAC, Celsus plays in the middle segment, the top one covers NuPrime.
Companion One - the device on all sides is extraordinary. It is based on a very good DAC Saber 9018K2M from ESS Technologies, which allowed developers to implement support for an incredible 32-bit and 384-kHz resolution for the mobile device. In addition, the newfangled DSD64 and 128 are supported. Without dwelling on this, Celsus added the possibility of wireless Wi-Fi connection with the ability to transmit to this DAC sound with a resolution of up to 24 bits and 192 kHz. Both AirPlay and UPnP are supported. In addition, Companion One is "friendly" with most modern mobile devices on iOS and Android. In general, the range of possible connections is maximum.
In this combine is implemented a good amplifier on the bundle OPA1612 and AD8397, this allows it to work with most headphones. There was also a place for two generators for frequencies of multiple 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, which makes it possible to deal with jitter.
Naturally, the device of this level could not cost cheap (especially considering the design and the package of delivery), but the company tried to make the price tag more or less democratic, therefore it is possible for an amount of about 600 dollars.
Specifications
- DAC: ESS Saber 9018K2M
- OU: OPA1612 + AD8397
- Harmonic distortion + noise: 0.001% @ 0 dB, 10 KΩ
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 22 KHz (+0, - 0.5 dB)
- Output voltage (0 dB): High Gain 3 Vrms, Low Gain 1.5 Vrms
- Signal to noise ratio: > 115 dB @ 2 Vrms
- Channel separation: > 110 dB
- Dynamic range: > 115 dB
- Output power: 160 mW @ 32Ω, 28 mW @ 300Ω
- Recommended headphone impedance: 16Ω - 300Ω
- Supported formats: PCM up to 32 bit / 384 kHz, DSD64, DSD128
- Supported wireless protocols: UPnP, AirPlay
- WiFi signal resolution: up to 24 bit / 192 kHz
- Outputs: linear, for headphones, S / PDIF
Packing and delivery kit
In Celsus tried to withstand the spirit of a premium product, including packaging, most likely, it is due to the Japanese market, in which a quality box is a necessary condition for success. Very stylish outer cover pleases with complex polygraphy with glossy inserts and silvery embossing. Inside it contains a sliding box of solid black cardboard. In this box is a comfortable leather case with a valve on the magnet. In this case, divided into two compartments, you will find the Companion One itself and a complete set of cables. The case is very convenient, it is ideal for a portable device that is supposed to be carried everywhere with you.
The next reason to remove the hat before the developers is a complete set of cables. In my memory this is the first device to which all possible digital cables have been put. Together with Celsus One you will get a long microUSB cable for charging and connecting to a computer, as well as three short cables for mobile devices: Lightning, Apple 30 pin and USB-OTG for Android. It's very nice to get a device that is immediately ready for any use cases, the rest of the manufacturers have to take it into service.
Also in the kit you will get a protective glass for the back panel and everything necessary for its gluing. In addition, the kit includes two instructions in English (short and complete) and a warranty card.
In general, for this item Celsus One broke all records, according to this parameter no device can even compare closely with it.
Design and management
The appearance of the DAC is also very good. In his appearance, there is something in common with Apple smartphones. The same aluminum frame and glass on both sides. According to the developer, this is the real Gorilla Glass, which provides durability, although I would not drop Celsus One. All controls are located on the sides of the device.
On the bottom panel are two MicroUSB-inputs, one serves for charging, the second, in the recess - for connection to digital signal sources. On the right panel there is a power switch and two volume control buttons. Between these buttons is a red LED, which lights when the high gain is turned on. On the left panel there are buttons for switching the gain, the USB / Wi-Fi connection option and the selection of modes. When the Companion One is running over Wi-Fi, the access point modes or connections to the existing network are selected, when using USB, this button switches between FullSpeed and HighSpeed modes. At the top there are outputs: headphone, line and S / PDIF.
Indication of operating modes is carried out by means of light-emitting diodes. On the front panel at the top there is a multi-colored indicator of the modes of operation, at the bottom - 4 LEDs showing the charge of the battery.
Celsus, creating a device with a wireless connection, rightly decided that it is not necessary to rely on Bluetooth for high-quality sound. Modern implementations of this wireless protocol, of course, have taken a few huge steps forward, but still can not be said that Bluetooth can transmit a signal in really good quality, and the range of this connection is rather limited. Therefore, the company decided to use a more reliable protocol, which became Wi-Fi.
Companion One can itself work as a wireless access point for direct connection or connect to an existing wireless network. Access to the device is via AirPlay or UPnP. Configuring wireless access is easy. After power-on, the Celsus One waits for a USB connection, as indicated by the alternate blinking of the indicator in red and green. Pressing the switch button will move Celsus to Wi-Fi access mode. By default it works in the access point mode, you will need to connect to the network with the same name. If you want to change the settings, at your service is the admin access, which you can access in the browser, by going to 192.168.10.1. You can select one of the existing wireless networks, then you need to enter a password for it, and Companion One will connect to this network. After setting up the connection, you can select the mode of operation as an access point or connect to an existing network using the button on the left side of the device. Switching the mode of Companion One is voiced by voice in the headphones, so it's easy to operate.
The indicator at the top is very multifunctional, for almost any mode it has its own way of showing it. In USB mode, it blinks red and green when there is no connection, glows green continuously when connected in HS mode and blinks green in FS mode. Also, green indicates the playback of the PCM signal, blinking red - DSD64, yellow color informs about DSD128. In Wi-Fi mode, the indicator blinks red and blue when there is no connection, shines red when operating in access point mode and blue when connected to an existing network.
The device uses a sufficiently powerful battery for 6000 mAh, so the charging time is long and is about 7 hours when using the Apple iPad charger. The time in the USB DAC mode when connected to a MacBook Pro was about 9 hours, in Wi-Fi mode - almost 7 hours. In general, the result, of course, is not a record, but quite acceptable.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones:
- HiFiMan Re600
- HiFiMan HE560
- Philips Fidelio X1
- Dunu DN-2000
- Lear LUF-4F
- Rhapsodio RTi1
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
In general, Celsus Companion One plays exactly as you would expect from a quality device based on Saber 9018K2M - good detailing, fast attacks, excellent fine-tuning of small nuances. Very good and the amplifying part, a proven set of op amps allowed to achieve a good "dark background" with virtually no noise. It was not without truth, without a small fly in the ointment, in Wi-Fi mode, sometimes a slight rumbling is heard, most likely, it is caused by the operation of the wireless module. Fortunately, this noise is actually audible only in pauses between tracks, and it does not interfere with listening to music, unless you, of course, suffer from a severe form of perfectionism.
The bass is good, it is normally worked out, has good texture and separation. It's not terribly energetic, but even the whimsical hybrid headphones with Companion play well.
Medium frequencies are natural, they have good resolution and detail. The transmission of emotions is very good, as is the separation of instruments. Thanks to this, the imaginary scene is well built both in width and in depth.
High frequencies are well controlled and have the necessary degree of transparency. They are slightly less than necessary for my taste, but, on the other hand, it helps to compensate for the brightness inherent in many headphones.
The quality of the sound does not depend on the connection (except for the above noise when working with Wi-Fi), thanks to the use of a wireless network, the quality is much better than that of devices that use Bluetooth.
Compatibility
Celsus Companion One - the solution for not very tight headphones. Heavy isodinames are clearly not for him, but for most IEMs and not tight overhead headphones - it's quite suitable. I especially liked it with multi-turn reinforcement headphones, with it its detail and good resolution is very well correlated. Genre is also quite versatile, because it is not inclined to add anything from itself.
conclusions
Not so often there are devices capable of something to surprise, and Companion One is one of them. Even without Wi-Fi access it would be interesting - versatility, good sound, expensive appearance and an excellent delivery package make it very competitive in its price niche. But the unique feature in the face of wireless access raises it one step higher, making it an absolutely unique solution, which has no analogues in the current market.
The article is based on materials .
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